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Section 129: Saving of donations mortis causa and Muhammadan Law

Transfer of Property Act • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide

Statutory Regulation
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Competent Court / Tribunal
Act 1882
Section 128 All 137 Sections of Transfer of Property Act Section 130

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 129

Section 129 saves donations mortis causa (gifts in contemplation of death) and the rules of Mohammedan law regarding gifts (Hiba) from the operation of Chapter VII (Gifts).

  • Donationes Mortis Causa Saving: Nothing in this Chapter relates to gifts of moveable property made in contemplation of death (governed by Section 191 Indian Succession Act, 1925).
  • Mohammedan Law Saving: Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to affect any rule of Mohammedan law relating to gifts (Hiba).
  • Oral Hiba Validity: Under Muslim personal law, a gift (Hiba) of immoveable property is valid if declaration, acceptance, and delivery of possession are proven, without requiring a registered deed under Section 123.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • Hafeeza Bibi v. Shaikh Farid, (2011) 5 SCC 654: The Supreme Court authoritatively settled that under Section 129, the requirement of registered gift under Section 123 does not apply to Muslim gifts (Hiba); an oral gift accompanied by declaration, acceptance, and delivery of possession is complete and valid in law.
  • Khursida Begum v. Mohammad Farooq, (2016) 4 SCC 549: The Supreme Court reiterated that Section 129 completely insulates Mohammedan gifts from the registration rigor of Section 123.
  • K. Balakrishnan v. K. Kamalam, (2004) 1 SCC 581: Affirmed the historical saving of testamentary and personal law dispositions under Section 129.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

In Muslim Hiba disputes, prove the three classical pillars (declaration, acceptance, physical delivery of possession); writing or registration is optional under Section 129.

Section 128 All 137 Sections of Transfer of Property Act Section 130